The Indian centres, which will be up in full flow in two years, “will impact over 500,000 students, certifying 100,000 students on Microsoft technologies", a Microsoft statement said.

The program will also drive innovation and help build a product-based software economy by supporting product development, and over 500 start-ups.

"The MICs will act as innovation hubs at select colleges and technology institutes, providing incubation and expert hands-on support on Microsoft technology innovation, research, and software solutions, aiming to create a pool of student technology experts across India," the statement said.

Fourteen MICs have been launched by signing MoUs with leading academic institutions across four states.

They will be located in the following cities:

Hyderabad

Vijayawada

Rajahmundry

Khamman

Bapatla

Guntur

Tirupati

Raipur

Tiruchy

Vellore

Coimbatore

Madurai

Salem

This is part of a programme that currently has 75 MICs.

Joseph Landes, General Manager, DPE of Microsoft India spoke about MICs saying "are designed to offer a unique environment conducive for student entrepreneurship. As knowledge and innovation become primary catalysts for economic growth in India, the Microsoft Innovation Centres can play a vital role in generating powerful new ideas through training, education and knowledge transfer."

The MIC program, the statement said, "will act as the key driver of Microsoft's vision for developing new talent in India at the student level. Budding developers will be encouraged to innovate across key priority technology focus areas that are driving growth and change for the economy, namely: Mobility (Windows Phone), Cloud (Windows Azure), Kinect, Accessibility, Healthcare and a wider ambit for solving problems with an India focus".

Expressing his vision for MICs at his institution, G. Viswanathan, founder and chancellor, VIT University, Vellore, said: "Innovation is an intrinsic part of the philosophy we live here at VIT University, which was established with the aim of providing quality higher education on par with international standards".

"Our students have been actively involved in the Imagine Cup - another great program from Microsoft that fosters innovation among students to address key global challenges," Viswanathan added.

The MIC announcement comes days after the India launch of Microsoft's new global philanthropy initiative - YouthSpark-aimed at addressing the opportunity divide faced by the young people of the world.